At the beginning of the year I did a post about making Feverfew Tincture for my migraines. I hadn’t had any all year and after I had made it I put it in the bathroom cupboard and never brought it out again until 3 days ago. I was having a most awful day with my Fibromyalgia, sore shoulder, jaw, hip, elbow – all my right side ached. I happened across an article about Feverfew being a good anti-inflammatory, especially good for not only migraines (it’s great!) but also for arthritis etc. I tried it, it’s not nice but certainly not revolting and it worked better than anything on the market I have ever taken. Within an hour after taking 2 tsp alot of my pain had subsided and it hasn’t come back nearly so badly after taking 6 tsp of the tincture a day (double the recommended) So, I thought I would share this again today with the instructions and find a bit more information to go with it.
Method: Take 300 grams of feverfew plant and cover with vodka. Leave for two weeks shaking daily. After 2 weeks remove the Feverfew squeezing all the liquid out, cap and store in dark place. Take 3 tsp a day.
Feverfew can also be drunk as a tea of boiling water over fresh leaves or as I used to have it, in a salad sandwich. Feverfew capsules can be purchased from health stores but the plants are cheap to buy and self seed with abandon, our grows in all sorts of nooks and crannies. I used to take in for the terribles migraines I used to get every few days but they disappeared completely after many years.
More can be found about Feverfew and it’s uses as a tonic for nervous complaints, migraines, arthritis, sore feet and as a pyrethrum rich insect repellent in this article at Altnature. Also here at Natural News. Feverfew should not be used by pregnant woman and I am not a qualified herbalist – and it nearly goes without saying of course any herb should be researched before use!
quarteracrelifestyle 
I used to get headaches all of the time till I hit menopause. They say that everything has a silver lining. I think we just found menopause’s “silver lining” ;). I have feverfew growing all over the place. A good friend actually purchased a couple of pots of it as she thought that I might like it for my edible food landscape and when she turned up she got out of the car and was greeted by a HUGE feverfew plant growing near the shed tap. It was almost a metre tall and she pulled out her little pots of feverfew and said “Is that the same thing as this?” then she looked around and noted that I had feverfew growing out of every orifice and nook and said “er…I think you have enough of it don’t you?” ;). Yeah, I think so Jen 🙂 I love your shares Wendy. You give us a lot of exciting possibilities with these kind of posts. I hurriedly copy and paste them into a word document and pin them on my “Frugal and Sustainable Hints and Tips” board so that everyone else can find them. Life is too short to suffer from horrible headaches and unbearable pain. Have you thought of adding turmeric to that feverfew mix? It’s amazing for reducing inflamation. If you see turmeric root in your local supermarket (I got mine from the health food shop) it grows really well and easily. Mine has been growing in pots for the last few years in the glasshouse (unheated) along with 2 poor long suffering cardamom plants that I am going to plant out in their very own garden bed this year. A friend swears by turmeric powder (that she buys from the supermarket and puts into capsules) for helping her reduce the pain of a bad back and general aches and pains. It would be interesting to see if the addition of turmeric to the mix would make this even more effective or just taste worse 😉
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I added in a good teaspoon of tumeric to my morning smoothie several months ago and it has definitely helped ease my inflammation issues – and my general well-being so much – I’m pretty sure Wendy introduced me to the idea but I need something for mid-term memory recall. 🙂 [You must have something pinned somewhere for that?]
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I certainly do. It’s called a notepad and pen and I use it all the time and SWEAR by their magical abilities 😉
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I shall get some immediately!
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Yes, I did lol, but don’t drink it myself very often, I really must. Mid term memory re-call, I don’t have any of that at all so won’t be no help to you there! I have the most appalling concentration and memory these days.
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California poppy 🙂 http://www.chinese-herbs.org/california-poppy/ I just found this this morning while researching it’s possibilities for skincare…”promotes intellectual ability, concentration and memory in the elderly” not calling you elderly by any stretch but thought of myself then remembered your comment 🙂 It’s growing everywhere!
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Hi Fran. I need back to this sort of post, the whole idea of my blog….I run off on so many tangents that another blog would help! 🙂
You have Feverfew growing out of every orifice, dear me!! I know it grows in nooks and crannies but……!
Yes, I was having my golden milk often with the tumeric, cardamon, cinnamon and ginger but didn’t like it with nut milks so much and too much dairy isn’t good for me, I have it rarely these days and was going to get capsules for tumeric and never did so I do need to don’t I. Tumeric and Feverfew capsules is a good idea!!!
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It’s a mighty little herb isn’t it Wendy – I used to drink the tea a million years ago for migraines too [yuck on both counts!] Your tincture sounds like one to have in the cupboard for those days when the pain strikes. Or to add to the morning smoothie to keep away forever…….
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I am sure it was that that got rid of my migraines, they used to be shocking things. Roger is skeptical and tells me it’s the vodka…it’s quite potent 🙂 but yes, amazing little herb!
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I have never suffered from terrible headaches. To me that is right up there with toothaches-no fun! I have never grown feverfew in my garden but it sounds like an herb I need to explore. Your picture makes me want to grow it since it reminds me of a mini daisy! Is it like Chamomile? I am allergic to that tea , I have to watch which plants I use for tea or health issues.
My husband would say what Rogers said=” must be the vodka”-lol I use Holy Basil all the time for stress. It is amazing when we can find an herb that helps us with our health issues-nothing can compare!
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They have cute little daisy like flowers and the plants are just small shrubby thngs, not really like chamomile as that grows low and creepy. I love chamomile tea for stress and also lemon balm except that it tastes like lemon furniture polish to me 🙂 I bought Holy Basil seeds once but they never came up. Migraines are terribly debilitating, they used to knock me flat maybe twice a week for years, the meds prescribed were horrible and didn’t really help, Feverfew got rid of them completely and I haven’t had them since I started taking it – about 3 years….it’s magic stuff!
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wow…I need to suggest that to a few family members that suffer from migranes. That is fascinating!!
Try Rama next time that one worked better for me when I started it from seed. The other two did not work too well. That is the way I feel about Holy Basil, it is a life saver:-)
We need to get back to these natural medicines again. I read in a book that the early pioneers in American had herbal gardens out there door for healing…hmmm..not a bad idea for all of us today:-)
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I just typed out a reply and lost so shall start again!
Ok, will try Rama. Yes, do let people know about Feverfew 🙂 I started a healing garden here last year thinking we should have whatever we may need right here if required. It’s just coming back to life with Spring 🙂 I love reading old pioneer stuff Robbie, goes way back to Little House on the Prarie and the Waltons!!
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Oh, I hate that when I type a thoughtful response to a comment + then it disappears=UGH:-( lol
I am starting to get more into it as I get older because I want less to do with chemicals “in” my body or “near” my body or “around” my environment. I was part of the earth movement in the 70’s– how did I lose myself when I got a bit older????…I trusted and did not research or question people at a certain time in m life-but I do now!
The internet was the best thing for me!!! I no longer have to be at the mercy of others that tell me” do this” or “that”….for I can research my options.
I feel getting sick as you know, is what makes us
“knowledge seekers”-lol. We will find if there is a less toxic way. Look at all the soaps and creams you are creating! I am growing my healing medicine in my garden.I am now getting into microgreens to extend the season and they are packed with 40x more nutrients-now that is amazing:-) soooo..I am growing those little greens. I will be doing a post on those soon. I just took some trays to my middle daughter so she could grow some too. Get these kids eating this stuff sooner!
I found my Rama Seeds to grow at this site. They carry all 3 types they use + this rama grew for me well.
https://www.horizonherbs.com/product.asp?specific=883
I use it so much that I finally got some from
Organic Herbal Farm-USA
They grow Rama-so I grew it, too.
http://www.pacificbotanicals.com/store/product.php?productid=345&cat=&page=1
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Yes, I hate it when I lose everything too and it seems to happen way too often!
We grow micro-greens too but not all the time, like everything else I go through spurts lol. Great supplements during winter though when not so much fresh food coming in.
You know, I think when we are younger we are just ourselves – then life slowly turns you into who you think you should be until one day you wake up and wondered where that great girl went, then you start looking for her but now you are older and can’t quite find HER but you glimpse her sometimes. I think it’s a shame and I love seeing quirky, creative, totally uninhibited women…they often have dreadlocks, pretty tats and wear cool clothes lol.
Anyway! On to the subject at hand…I will see if I can get Rama here then and follow your links! 🙂
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I totally agree!!!I am finding after I hit 50 that girl is returning- just minus a bit of my old color( literally) + a few more lines around the edges-lol
Very wise observation + it is fun to rediscover the young us!
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🙂 🙂
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As a migraine sufferer I tried feverfew tea but YUK! I am truly not sure what is worse, the tea or the migraines. Yep, I kid you not! I got a mouthful and then very uncouthly spat the lot back in the cup. There is no way I ould drink feverfew tea! 😦 I will however try the tincture. Vodka I can come at and heck, I think echinacea vodka tincture is rather nice (or is that the vodka talking).
As an aside, feverfew is related to pyrethrum and I discovered that my chooks love to dust bathe in the soil or lie in the sun as near to the feverfew plants as they can get. It repels insects! Just another feather in the cap for this great (but foul tasting) little herb. 🙂
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I know, it is foul stuff lol. I am lucky I can manage to drink anything no matter how revolting if I knock it will do me good but eating something is different….I have a great gag response to food that doesn’t taste nice 🙂 The vodka doesn’t taste great but it doesn’t have that bitterness. I don’t envy you at all the migraines Jess, I used to suffer from chronic ones, they were ruining my life but I got Feverfew capsules and honestly they kicked a… ! Maybe you could dry and powder it and fill capsules?
I never knew it was related to pyrethrum till yesterday, explains that taste I guess 🙂
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I’ve woken up with aching hands (and aching everywhere else too) and as I know it’s the good ol arthritis reacting to working hard, a change in the weather and that they’re all swollen and yuk, it’s rice pudding for breakfast here. Our rice pudding is indian inspired – full of cardamom and turmeric. This morning there will be LOTS of turmeric! 🙂 Thanks for the advice on that too! 🙂
I might try a tincture of feverfew. Even if I never ingest it in any shape or for, feverfew has its place in my garden if only for the chooks. I knew it was related to pyrethrum as I scored my 2 pots of it at a swap meet as pyrethrum. It’s also a very pretty little plant. 🙂
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Aw! My mother had terrible arthritis, it’s a shyte thing 😦 i am sorry you have that because I know what constant aching and stiffness is like – fibro is very similar.
I actually made the turmeric drink yesterday and again this morning after Pauline’s comments, it IS good! 🙂
Some good things about the tincture is it is simple and you only need a wee bit…and the vodka disguises the taste 🙂
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Just thought, I was recommended this by a friend. Might well be what I need today. Good for the anti inflamms and I’ve been told, DELICIOUS! http://trimhealthymama.freeforums.net/thread/2156/singing-canary-pearl-serene
Thankfully my arthritis is very mild and I am usually fine but I know it’s a sign of things to come and I need to work out how, in a self sufficient future it will factor in. VERY sharp seccateurs, lots of turmeric growing and no digging needed perhaps. 😉
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Yes, you need to be as able as possible ay….I have many frustrations in that area but pleased to say I am not chair ridden now like I was several years ago, that was terribly depressing. May herbs heal us all of whatever ails us!! Thanks for that link Jessie, I will try it, it looks great!
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So how does feverfew taste in a sandwich?
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It’s quite bitter but I saw a hint years ago to eat it with Vegemite to disguise it and it’s ok 🙂 It’s not the most pleasant tasting plant but it’s really effective.
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That’s interesting. Funny that you mention vegemite. Vegemite, brown bread and a glass of milk used to be my go-to remedies for headaches, which don’t bother me much any more. I have been blessed not to have migraines but my sister gets terrible migraines.
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Lol, that is interesting! Get your sister to try this, honestly I have never looked back.
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Love the advice of this one Wendy.. and isn’t it strange how us FMS sufferers would also have very bad Migraines .. Mine too dissolved a few years ago now.. thank goodness… Thank you for sharing this…. 🙂
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I wonder if there is an inflammation link there somewhere? Good you don’t have yours anymore either, migraines are nasty things.
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yes I believe there is a link.. I also had a very sore scalp to touch.. It would go red and when you brushed your hair it was painful.. I was told at the hospital that a series of complaints I had had separate, collectively were all connected to FMS… So I had neck pain.. Back pain, muscle cramps. even my Raynauds Syndrome with poor circulation was connected.. Thankfully I am 110% well.. from the severe pains I used to endure..
I hope your soreness soon eases up too.. ❤ Hugs xxx
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I have Raynauds too Sue! So what changes have you made to you lifestyle etc to become so well? Do you get fatigue? I am much better than I used to be but still have periods of extreme pain and the fatigue is there all the time. Hugs back, thanks Sue xx
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